GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY 101 F4 Section 001

FALL 2003—TR 10:00-11:50

112 Predolin

 

Instructor:        David Lambert

Office:             110G DeRicci Hall

Office Hours:   Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00-2:00 p.m., or by appointment

Telephone:       Office: 663-2304; Home 233-8429

E-mail:            lambert@edgewood.edu

 

ABOUT THE COURSE:

This course is an introduction to psychology—the science of behavior and mental processes. In this course, we will survey the major topics, theories, and research findings in psychology, and consider key controversies and dividing issues. We will also consider applications of psychological principles and techniques to improving people’s lives.  A quick consideration of human behavior makes it clear that psychology has some of the most fascinating phenomena to study in all of science.  For example: Why are some people willing to help a stranger in distress, whereas others are not? Why are some people shy and others highly social?  What causes depression?  Why do humans talk but chimps do not?  In this course, we review the various areas of inquiry within the field of psychology, such as biopsychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, psychotherapy, and industrial/organizational psychology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Knowledge of Psychology:  The basic goal of this course is to increase your knowledge of psychology. This is the only goal that will be evaluated directly by exams and it includes enhancing your knowledge and understanding of: a) major psychological approaches to the study of behavior; b) major issues in psychology; c) concepts, basic terminology, research findings, and applications of psychological work; d) the research process and its limitations, and e) classic psychology experiments and psychology's important contributors.

Scientific Values and Skills:  This course is intended to stimulate your intellectual curiosity about human behavior, increase your understanding and appreciation of the scientific method, help you recognize faulty or biased research, and increase your ability to critically evaluate scientific information.

Everyday Life:  As a discipline, psychology is concerned with questions that make up the very fabric of our existence. From the mundane (e.g., Why does the moon look big when it's low on the horizon? Why can't I remember a phone number for more than a few seconds?) to the profound (e.g., Why do people kill each other? What is "normal" behavior? Does free will exist?), psychology offers a unique perspective on many of the questions and social issues that confront us.  The information in this course should increase your understanding of other people's and your own behavior, help you appreciate the complexity of human behavior, and promote an intelligent skepticism about accepting psychological "facts" and "truths" that you come across in everyday life (e.g., in newspapers, "pop" magazines, on TV and radio talk shows, etc.). You will have to judge whether any of these goals are met, and a full opportunity to make this judgment may not occur until long after this course is over.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

The objectives stated above will be achieved through a variety of learning activities including assigned readings, lectures, classroom discussions, in-class activities, applied homework, guest speakers, and audiovisual materials, including the video series Discovering Psychology: Annenburg/CPB.

 

READING MATERIALS:

 

Myers, D. (2003). Exploring Psychology (5th ed.). New York: Worth.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and Class Participation

Regular attendance is required.  An attendance sheet will be circulated at the beginning of each class.  It is your responsibility to make sure you sign in.  You are also responsible for obtaining any missed lecture material.  Students are expected to come to each class having completed the reading assignment and prepared to be an active participant in discussions during class. Give-and-take will be encouraged during lecture portions of each class, and group discussions and activities related to one or more important psychological issues will take place regularly.  To encourage attendance AND participation you are starting the semester with a “free” 100 points.  Points will be deducted for those who display a chronic lack of preparation and participation, as well as for every three unexcused absence.

 

Examinations:

During the course of the semester there will be four exams, each worth 100 points. Though in general these will stress information covered since the last exam, they may integrate information from prior exams.  The exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice, matching, true-false, and short essay questions based on assigned readings, lectures, discussions, and other course material. Some of the multiple choice questions will be on factual material (e.g., definitions) taken directly from the text or lectures, but most of the questions will be conceptual in nature, requiring you to apply a concept beyond the specific discussion found in the text or in lecture.  A study guide will be provided 5-7 days before each exam.  Exams must be taken in class during the assigned period unless arrangements with the instructor are made prior to the examination period.

 

 

 

COURSE GRADING:

I believe in fostering a cooperative learning environment.  Thus, grades will not be assigned on the basis of a curve (e.g., 10% A's, 20% B's, etc.), a system that fosters competition rather than cooperation. A cumulative grading system will be used to determine your final grade course.  In this way, potentially every student in the class could earn an “A” for the course. The more you help one another, the better everyone will do.  Grades will be given according to objective criteria (these points are not negotiable):

Exams and Project Grades: 100 points each.

A         =92-100

AB       =87-91

B          =78-86

BC       =73-77

C         =64-72

D         =55-63

F          =54 or below

Final Grades: 600 points total.

A         =552-600 points

AB       =521-551 points

B          =468-520 points

BC       =444-467 points

C         =386-443 points

D         =329-385 points

F          = < 329 points